Toy Rifle Confrontation with Officers

MERRIAM, Kan. (AP) Police say an eastern Kansas teenager is lucky he didn’t get shot after pointing a toy assault rifle at an officer he thought was a member of an opposing Airsoft team.

The Kansas City Star reports Merriam police responded at 8:20 a.m. Thursday after someone saw three people in camouflage and carrying rifles jump out of a van and run behind a house.

Armed officers rounded the corner of the house and were confronted by two people with guns. One of the youths pointed his gun in the direction of police, but an officer noticed orange paint on the barrel indicating it was a toy.

Police say the 15-year-old won’t be charged. The teens said they were practicing tactics to get ready for a game later Thursday.